sebringsprite.com/EAO

Built on 12.7.60, this Sprite was originally painted Iris Blue and registered on 18.7.60 as GUY 603 for its first owner Guy Wilson, a solicitor from Carlisle, Cumbria. It was dispatched to the Donald Healey Motor Co. at Grosvenor Street, London, and converted to Sebring specification - Girling disc brakes, wire wheels, etc., for Guy to compete in motorsport activities at club level.

The following year on 12.4.61 the car was re-registered 410 EAO and offered for sale by John Sprinzel Ltd., Lancaster Mews, London, and purchased by Andrew Hedges. Part of the deal included the fitment of alloy coupe bodywork by Williams & Pritchard Ltd. When completed, the car was painted metallic Healey Ice Blue with a dark blue stripe broadening to the width of the grille aperture, echoing that of a small number of cars racing under the Scuderia Light Blue banner. Expert tuner Don Moore provided the race engine.

The cars debut event in alloy coupe form was the 1000 km race at the Nurburgring in May 1961. With Andrew Hedges, and fellow team mate Bill McCowen sharing the driving, it finished 4th in class and 32nd overall.

At the end of a very full and successful 1961 season, the car was overhauled by Abingdon's Competitions Dept. Once again, it returned to John Sprinzel Ltd. and was advertised in October 1961, for £1,150. However, the Sprite was purchased by its next owner - Les Arnold, after noticing the car on its trailer and following it across London.

Les Arnold was the owner of a fleet of London taxis and competed with 410 EAO during 1962 and 1963, mainly in club events. He achieved great success with the car and as a result was offered a drive with the Healey Motor Company (sharing with Clive Baker), for Le Mans in 1964. However, the invitation was declined.

In 1964, the car passed into the hands of Michael Barnett. Unfortunately, during his ownership and while practising for a race at Oulton Park that year, 410 EAO rolled at Lodge Corner crushing the alloy roof and damaging the rear alloy panelling. The alloy roof was deemed to be beyond repair and scrapped, but the rear alloy bodywork was repaired. The car was repainted - still Ice Blue, but without the dark blue stripe. A standard Sprite windscreen and glass fibre hardtop were also fitted. Thereafter, it was sold to Michael Barnett's brother-in-law for use on the road.

By 1967, 410 EAO had made its way to Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, owned by Warwick Edgington and used occasionally on the road as a "fun, second car". It was acquired by Graham Jacques in the early 1970s. Its past history long forgotten, he employed it as daily transport until the winter of 1975, when he lost control on 'black ice' and struck a lamppost.

The Sprite then sat in the owners garden, exposed to the elements for 12 years, before being moved. It was eventually discovered by Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird during November 1990, housed in a semi-derelict warehouse, when Graham Jacques offered the car for sale.

410 EAO is currently undergoing a meticulous rebuild to its original 1961 specification. Len Pritchard, of Williams and Pritchard, now in his 80's was persuaded to make a new alloy hardtop for the car, and this is now fitted. Its first registration - GUY 603 survives, currently on a silver 1979 Fiat X1/9 sports car. Former owner of the car, Andrew Hedges, sadly died in 2005.

To see Jonathan's super restoration photo gallery detailing the complete rebuild click here.

The car at Montlhery in the 1000 kms race in 1961 with Andrew Hedges at the wheel

Andrew Hedges competing in the 1000 kms at Nurburgring, 1961

Les Arnold with the car in 1963

Les Arnold and EAO closely followed by a GSM Delta at Mallory Park in 1963

EAO at Monthlery

and on trailer behind A40

British and Continental Competition History - 1961
Date	Event	Driver	Co-driver	Class	Overall
May 28	Nurburgring ADAC 1000 Km	Andrew Hedges	Bill McCowen	4th	32nd
Jun 18	Snetterton 100 Trophy Meeting	Andrew Hedges		4th	6th
Jul 8	Silverstone BRDC 23rd British Empire Trophy Meeting	Andrew Hedges		2nd
Jul 15	Aintree RAC British Grand Prix Meeting	Andrew Hedges		4th
Jul 23	Snetterton Autosport Championship Race	Andrew Hedges		2nd	3rd
Aug 7	Brands Hatch BRSCC Peco Trophy	Andrew Hedges		3rd
Sep 3	Nurburgring 500 Km	Andrew Hedges	Robert Kuderli		4th
Sep 3	Nurburgring 500 Km	'Team Sebring' team prize			4th
Sep 10	Urcy Hillclimb (Nr. Dijon)	Andrew Hedges	[hill class record: 2.04.00]	1st
Sep 30	Snetterton BRSCC Autosport 3 Hours	Andrew Hedges	[lap record: 2.00.07]	1st
Oct 15	Montlhery Autodrome, Coupe de Salon Meeting	Andrew Hedges		3rd
Oct 22	Monthlhery Autodrome, 1000 Km de Paris	Andrew Hedges	Bill McCowen	4th
Oct 22	Monthlhery Autodrome, 1000 Km de Paris	despite rear oil seal failure		4th

The car as found by Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird

The restored bodyshell

The motor complete with "red" crank and in Don Moore colours

November 2007 and the car is nearing the end of its reconstruction by Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird


EAO nears completion in early April. The engine was fired up on 12th but lacked oil pressure so a little more work is required. After 10 years of hard work the car should be running at Goodwood on 16th to 18th May and will be a credit to Jonathan's fantastic effort. See you there?

Latest news:- poor Jonathan has had the misfortune to seize EAO's engine due to a lack of oil pressure on start-up.

However the car will be on display at Goodwood and Gaydon, if only in a static role, the problem to be remedied later.

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